Years Ago

Today is Thursday, Dec. 10, the 344th day of 2009. There are 21 days left in the year. On this date in 1884, Mark Twain’s novel “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” is first published, in Canada as well as England (the book is not released in the United States until February 1885).

In 1520, Martin Luther publicly burns the papal edict demanding that he recant, or face excommunication. In 1817, Mississippi is admitted as the 20th state. In 1869, women are granted the right to vote in the Wyoming Territory. In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt becomes the first American to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, for helping mediate an end to the Russo-Japanese War. In 1931, Jane Addams becomes the first American woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (the co-recipient is Nicholas Murray Butler). In 1948, the U.N. General Assembly adopts its Universal Declaration on Human Rights. In 1950, Ralph J. Bunche is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, the first black American to receive the award. In 1967, singer Otis Redding, 26, and six others are killed when their plane crashes into Wisconsin’s Lake Monona. In 1984, South African Bishop Desmond Tutu receives the Nobel Peace Prize.

December 10, 1984: The Warren-Trumbull Community Services Agency receives a truckload of cheese and honey from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to be distributed to Trumbull County residents.

Youngstown City Law Director William Higgins and city Councilman Herman P. Starks argue that a call for a closed meeting of city council to discuss compensatory time for city officials was proper because the topic involves possible litigation.

The Cleveland Browns “Three Rivers jinx” continues as they lose their 15th straight game to the Steelers in the Pittsburgh stadium.

December 10, 1969: Herman N. Heller, 81, former secretary of Heller-Murray Co. and a retired theater man, is killed in an auto collision at Market Street and Fairlawn Avenue.

The Mahoning County Joint Vocational School clears a final hurdle by a more than two-to-one margin as voters approve a half-mill operating levy in a special election.

Gov. James A. Rhodes orders National Guard troops onto Akron University’s campus after a group of black students is reported to have taken over the administration building.

December 10, 1959: The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County faces drastic cuts in service in 1960 as the result of cuts in the intangible taxes allocated by the Mahoning County Budge Commission.

Rene DiPiero is elected president of the Wolves Club of Youngstown during a meeting at the Victoria Restaurant.

The internationally famous Harlem Globetrotters will appear at the South High Fieldhouse. General admission tickets, $1.50; reserved, $2 and $2.50.

December 10, 1934: Father-and-son watchmen at the Warner Theater are tied up and gagged by three yeggs who escape with several hundred dollars from the theater safe.

The Most Rev. Ivan Saric, archbishop of Sarajevo and a prominent figure in Croatian affairs, pays a visit to Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Youngstown as a guest of the Rev. John Stipanovic.

The Securities and Exchange Commission may require high officials of corporations to disclose their salaries so that investors have more information on company operations.